Abstract: The process comprises cutting suitable lengths of wood from the trunk and stems of dead plants of the Chola Cactus which have bark surrounding the lengths and pith in the hollows thereof. The bark and pith are removed from the lengths to leave clean wood. The lengths of clean wood are encapsulated with metal or plastic chosen from the group of metals consisting of silver, copper, brass and the like and from thermosetting and thermoplastic plastics by placing the lengths of wood in a mold somewhat larger in diameter than the pieces of wood to be encapsulated so as to provide a layer of the encapsulating material surrounding the length of wood. Disks about 1/8 inch thick may be cut transversely from the encapsulated lengths of wood to form jewelry items. Matched earrings may be produced by cutting two disks along a common transverse plane, securing means to the opposite sides of the disks for fastening them to the lobe of a person's ear.